Thousands of books up for grabs

IT WAS a book-lover's dream come true, with thousands of literary treasures up for grabs at the Ipswich Hospice Book Fest.

Ipswich Hospice business development manager Alison Lahey said a range of second-hand titles had been on offer at Saturday's event, and children's books had topped the list of “must have” items for bargain hunters.

Crime and thrillers were also popular, with romance novels lagging behind.

She said $1500 had been raised from the sale at the Eastern Heights facility.

The proceeds will enable the not-for-profit, community-owned- and-operated facility to continue to offer palliative care and bereavement services for the terminally ill and their families in the Ipswich and surrounding communities.

“We only receive limited government funding, only 30% from government,” Ms Lahey said.

“The rest we raise through community fundraisers and grants.”

She said the facility was planning several other book sales for later in the year.

Among those scoring bargains was Brassall resident Carolyn Symonds.

Ms Symonds, a kindergarten teacher, said she had been looking for books for the children.

An avid reader of mainly historical and crime novels, she said she hoped to pass on the interest to the kids.

“I want to instil in them that love of learning and reading,” Ms Symonds said.